The Chiefs lead the NFL with 31 sacks. They also lead with a plus-12 turnover ratio.

Brown believes Keenum has the temperament to handle such a difficult situation – the unbeaten Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium.

“As a young player, especially as a young quarterback, you don’t find many guys with (the) kind of demeanor he has,” Brown said. “He’s a natural leader. He’s a very intense player. He’s poised, and he’s calm with his decision making, but he gets fired up. He gets fired up to try to hype the offense up.

“When he enters the huddle, he’s pretty vocal. If he makes a big-time throw, he gets excited about it. If he happens to make a mistake, you can tell he’s not too happy about it.”

When Keenum passes, he’ll be looking for Andre Johnson, who leads the NFL with 44 receptions.

Run game a priority

“He’s been working his butt off, and it’s a big opportunity for him,” Johnson said. “I think he’s ready, and I think he’ll do well.”

As always, the Texans plan to run the ball, especially with Arian Foster, the league’s second-leading rusher. Foster missed practice Thursday because of a sore hamstring but should start against the Chiefs.

“It’ll be beneficial if we have two elements of our offense going,” Foster said. “Handling our business in the run game because, when you run the ball well, it obviously opens up things in the passing game.

“It’s a great opportunity for him. He’s a young cat, so he gets real excited. I think he brings another element (with) his legs. I’m excited to see what he’s going to do.”

When coach Gary Kubiak made the decision to start Keenum, he said the team needs a spark after losing four consecutive games.

“It’s highly possible,” Foster said about Keenum providing a spark. “Football’s a game of emotions. If something like that happens, it’s obviously a plus.”

Hostile environment

Keenum will take snaps from Pro Bowl center Chris Myers.

“The other 10 guys on offense will have his back,” Myers said. “If things get hairy at times – which they will because it’s a tough environment to play in, especially with them being 6-0 and the crowd will really be into it – we’ve got to help him calm down.

“I want to see if we can establish the run early and often because that would help us tremendously.”

Keenum’s teammates know how difficult it is to win at Arrowhead Stadium, which a week ago broke Guinness World Records’ mark for the loudest outdoor sports stadium, and the 75,000-plus fans who form the Sea of Red.

“It’s a tough situation, a tough crowd, a tough spot with the pressure of the way the season’s going, but it’s going to be exciting to watch a new player get his first start,” Myers said. “He’s put in his work, and I’m anxious to see how he does.”

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) warms up before an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) warms up before an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum motions to the sideline during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum motions to the sideline during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) tries to elude the rush from San Francisco 49ers tight end Demarcus Dobbs (83) during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) tries to elude the rush from San Francisco 49ers tight end Demarcus Dobbs (83) during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium on Thursday, ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 4 of 78

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien talks with quarterback Case Keenum during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien talks with quarterback Case Keenum during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Smiley N. Pool / ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 5 of 78

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) throws a pass over San Francisco 49ers defensive end Demarcus Dobbs (83), being blocked by Texans guard Alex Kupper (62) during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game at NRG Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) throws a pass over San Francisco 49ers defensive end Demarcus Dobbs (83), being blocked by Texans guard Alex Kupper (62) during the first quarter of an NFL preseason ... more

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is chased out of the pocket by Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Ra'Shede Hageman (77) during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) poses while shooting a segment for the "We Are Texans" promotional campaign Wednesday, April 16, 2014, in Houston. Several Texans players spent Wednesday being photographed for various marketing and game day promotional pieces for the 2014 season. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) poses while shooting a segment for the "We Are Texans" promotional campaign Wednesday, April 16, 2014, in Houston. Several Texans players spent Wednesday being ... more

Texans player Case Keenum prepares to putt during the Andre Johnson Foundation Golf Classic held at the Golf Club of Houston, 5860 Wilson Rd., Humble, Texas 77396 , Humble, Texas Monday, March 10, 2014, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans player Case Keenum signs autographs during the Andre Johnson Foundation Golf Classic held at the Golf Club of Houston, 5860 Wilson Rd., Humble, Texas 77396 , Humble, Texas Monday, March 10, 2014, in Humble. The autographs will benefit the Texas Association of First Responders. ( Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle ) less

Texans player Case Keenum signs autographs during the Andre Johnson Foundation Golf Classic held at the Golf Club of Houston, 5860 Wilson Rd., Humble, Texas 77396 , Humble, Texas Monday, March 10, 2014, in ... more

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is hit by New England Patriots defensive end Andre Carter (96) as he releases a pass during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is hit by New England Patriots defensive end Andre Carter (96) as he releases a pass during the second quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Houston. ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is hit by New England Patriots defensive end Andre Carter (96) as he releases the ball for an incomplete pass on fourth down during the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is hit by New England Patriots defensive end Andre Carter (96) as he releases the ball for an incomplete pass on fourth down during the fourth quarter at Reliant ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at Ever Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum warms up before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at Ever Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) gets off a pass as he is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at Ever Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) gets off a pass as he is hit by Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville ... more

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) is sacked by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Bjoern Werner (92) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) walks off the field after the Texans were stopped by the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Indianapolis. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) walks off the field after the Texans were stopped by the Indianapolis Colts during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Dec. 15, ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Indianapolis. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) less

Houston Texans quarterback Case Keenum (7) stands on the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Indianapolis. ... more

Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum warms up before facing the Colts.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum warms up before facing the Colts.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Case Keenum is introduced to the crowd at Reliant Stadium before facing the Colts.

Case Keenum is introduced to the crowd at Reliant Stadium before facing the Colts.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Case Keenam reacts after making a play for the Texans.

Case Keenam reacts after making a play for the Texans.

Photo: Cody Duty / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum tries to escape the pass rush from the Colts.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum tries to escape the pass rush from the Colts.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans quarterback Case Keenum reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Colts.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Colts.